The Grand Island Public Schools "Board Brief" is an online monthly publication sharing the Board of Education meeting highlights, updates, campus recognitions, and more.

Here's a recap of the September 2023 Special Meeting on the 2023-24 GIPS Budget.

• Special Meeting for Budget Approval - Agenda
• Video Stream
• Miss Katie Mauldin was absent but gave prior notice

GIPS hosted its annual Budget Workshop with the Board of Education on September 15th, 2023. The workshop was open to the public and provided the Board and the community with an opportunity to review the updated budget for the upcoming school year.

After the workshop, the Board of Education then held a Budget Hearing before the regular Board meeting that same evening (Sept. 15th). Chief Financial Officer, Virgil Harden, to shared a brief update on the budget and invite members of the public to share feedback, concern, or questions.

There were no requests from the public to speak before the Board regarding the budget.

Motion Passed: 8 - 0

Levy Resolution updates were featured as part of the Annual Budget Workshop and the Budget Hearing.

There were no requests from the public to speak before the Board regarding the Levy Resolution.

Motion Passed: 8 - 0

Here are a few notable highlights for the GIPS Budget for the 2023-24 school year:

• Lower Tax Levy; First Time in 22 Years

The overall levy needed to support the our schools will decrease by a total of about 10 cents for each one hundred dollars of assessed valuation.

• Increased Special Education Reimbursement from the State will Lower Property Tax

$6 million more of Special Education services will be moved off of the property taxpayer and will be covered by state funds.

• Staffing Covers 80% of the Budget

Our valuable staff are the backbone of our district. We want to continue supporting them as they support our students.

• Rebuilding Cash Reserves Remains a Focus

GIPS is continuing to make strategic investments in order to lower bond debt and take care of today's needs and plan for the future.

Read the budget highlights article from Mr. Fisher, HERE.

Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent, and Virgil Harden, GIPS CFO, unpack the notable updates and historic developments with the 2023-24 district budget. Along the way, they discuss the district's first lowering of the tax levy in over twenty years, why maintaining staffing support is important, and how the district will be strategic in spending going forward.

Because it's about spending only what is necessary to ensure Every Student, Every Day, A Success!

You may listen to the full budget conversation by clicking the photo below OR by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.